Legislation -
Referred to Committee
(Senate)
-
Aug. 1, 2012

Legislation -
Bill Passed
(House)
(263-114) -
July 31, 2012(Key vote)

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits federal employees and applicants who have "seriously delinquent tax debt" from being eligible for federal employment.

Highlights:

Prohibits any individual who has a “seriously delinquent tax debt” from being eligible for new or continued employment in any of the following agencies (Sec. 2):

Any Executive agency;

The United States Postal Service;

The Postal Regulatory Commission; or

An employing authority in the legislative branch.

Defines “seriously delinquent tax debt” as an outstanding debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records, except in the following circumstances (Sec. 2):

The debt is being paid in installments and in a timely manner;

The debt is in a collection due process hearing or relief has been requested or is pending;

A levy against the taxpayer’s property has been issued for repayment of the debt; or

The levy against the taxpayer’s property has been released due to the determination that the levy created an economic hardship due to the financial condition of the taxpayer.

Requires each agency to verify if a notice of lien has been filed on a current or prospective employee (Sec. 2).

Authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to write regulations authorizing an individual to continue to serve on a case-by-case basis when the situation involves financial hardship and the employees’ continued service is in best interests of the United States (Sec. 2).

Note:

NOTE: THIS VOTE WAS TAKEN UNDER A SUSPENSION OF THE RULES TO CUT OFF DEBATE EARLY AND VOTE TO PASS THE BILL, THEREBY REQUIRING A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY FOR PASSAGE.